Critics take aim at CTV's 'Save Local TV' campaign

With layoffs behind them and staring at a gloomy economic forecast, the local affiliate of CTV is taking its "Save Local TV" message to the public through open houses and advertisements – though some critics charge it's ignoring vital aspects of the television revenue equation.

Stations such as CTV have been lobbying the federal government to force satellite and cable providers to charge a 50-cent fee per subscriber, per channel. Without it, argued CTV Ottawa general manager Louis Douville, his station is at risk of vanishing.

His local branch has circulated an online petition, garnering around 50,000 signatures, and held a series of open houses in support of its cause – launched May 8 – at its Merivale Road offices.


Ottawa Business Journal